Ryan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  Ireland 


Today's Irish surnames are underpinned by a multitude of rich histories. The name Ryan originally appeared in Gaelic as Ó Maoilriain, formerly Mulryan, but now abbreviated to Ó Riain. 1

Early Origins of the Ryan family

The surname Ryan was first found in County Tipperary (Irish: Thiobraid Árann), established in the 13th century in South-central Ireland, in the province of Munster. 1

According to O'Hart, the family claim descent from the Heremon Kings of Ireland through the MacMorough pedigree, specifically Cormac, brother of Eoghan who was ancestor of O'Righin; anglicized Mulrain, O'Ryan, Ryan and Ryne. 2

However, MacLysaght claims the family claim descent from O Maoilriain located in Owney, formerly called Owney O'Mulryan which forms two modern baronies on the borders of Limerick and Tipperary. 3 As both authorities were Chief Heralds of Ireland in their own time, we must leave the reader to ponder which of the two is more likely.

Early History of the Ryan family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ryan research. Another 131 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1694, 1709, 1732 and 1760 are included under the topic Early Ryan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ryan Spelling Variations

The Middle Ages saw a great number of spelling variations for surnames common to the Irish landscape. One reason for these variations is the fact that surnames were not rigidly fixed by this period because the general population had to rely on local official's understanding of how their name should be spelt, hence spellings in records often changed through a person's lifetime. The following variations for the name Ryan were encountered in the archives: O'Ryan, Ryan, Mulrian, Mulryan, O'Mulrian and many more.

Early Notables of the Ryan family

Notable among the family name at this time was

Ryan World Ranking

In the United States, the name Ryan is the 203rd most popular surname with an estimated 126,837 people with that name. 4 However, in Canada, the name Ryan is ranked the 172nd most popular surname with an estimated 20,630 people with that name. 5 And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Ryan is the 9th popular surname with an estimated 1,085 people with that name. 6 Australia ranks Ryan as 19th with 53,483 people. 7 New Zealand ranks Ryan as 94th with 4,121 people. 8 The United Kingdom ranks Ryan as 186th with 29,937 people. 9


Ryan migration to the United States +

Ireland became inhospitable for many native Irish families in the 19th centuries. Poverty, lack of opportunities, high rents, and discrimination forced thousands to leave the island for North America. The largest exodus of Irish settlers occurred with the Great Potato Famine of the late 1840s. For these immigrants the journey to British North America and the United States was long and dangerous and many did not live to see the shores of those new lands. Those who did make it were essential to the development of what would become two of the wealthiest and most powerful nations of the world. These Irish immigrants were not only important for peopling the new settlements and cities, they also provided the manpower needed for the many industrial and agricultural projects so essential to these growing nations. Immigration and passenger lists have documented the arrival of various people bearing the name Ryan to North America:

Ryan Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
Ryan Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Ryan Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
Ryan Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Ryan migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Ryan Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
Ryan Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Ryan migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Ryan Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
Ryan Settlers in Australia in the 20th Century

Ryan migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Ryan Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Ryan (post 1700) +


The Ryan Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Malo mori quam fodari
Motto Translation: I would rather die than be disgraced.


Suggested Readings for the name Ryan +
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